Outdoor Burning - Do I need a Permit?

In 2022, the City of Bandera adopted the 2018 International Fire Code as stated in Article 5.04 of our ordinances.

Section 307 of the 2018 International Fire Code Amendments states outdoor burning is prohibited unless unless an exception or a permit has been issued by the city.

Open or outdoor burning is defined as any fire where the smoke and products of combustion are released directly into the air without passing through a chimney or stack.

PROHIBITED FROM BURNING, no exception or permit allowed:

• Household trash, furniture, electrical insulation, treated and untreated lumber, plastics, non-wood construction/demolition materials, heavy oils, asphaltic materials, chemical wastes, natural or synthetic rubbers, garbage of any form, or municipal solid waste, including grass, leaves, and branch trimmings.

PROHIBITED FROM DISPOSAL OR DEPOSIT OF SPONTANEOUS IGNITABLE MATERIAL, no exception or permit allowed:

• Organic materials, such as mulch, capable of igniting spontaneously, with the exception of solid fossil fuels.

PROHIBITED FROM BURNING EXCEPTIONS, permit required:

• Recreational, pleasure, religious, or ceremonial events.
• If it is determined there is no practical alternative, and if the burning will not cause or contribute to a nuisance, traffic hazard, or violate any federal or state law.

OUTDOOR BURNING ALLOWED, no permit or notification required during normal drought conditions: 

• Training Firefighter personnel
• Non-commercial food preparation, provided such fire is built and maintained in a pit that fully contains the fire, or a fireproof container such as a barbeque pit or chiminea made of brick, stone, metal, or other fireproof material in such a manner as to prevent any fire from escaping.
• One- and two-family dwellings where fire may be used for recreation or any other purely domestic purpose.
• Enclosed patio wood-burning units, such as portable fire pits, chimineas, or outdoor fireplaces, where the unit is built from non-combustible materials, such as steel, clay, or concrete and completely covered to contain flying embers.

Even these exceptions and permitted open or outdoor fires must be built within an appropriate fire-resistant container made of brick, stone, metal, or other fire-resistant material, and must include an appropriate screen, and must be set in such a manner as to prevent the fire from escaping. The fire-resistant container must not exceed three (3) feet in diameter and must be located a minimum of 25 feet from any structure or combustible materials. This exception does not apply to the burning of leaves, trash, construction waste, yard debris, or vegetation, which remains strictly prohibited. No such fire may occur when a burn ban is in effect.

Additional information:

• Permits will not be issued when Bandera County is under a burn ban. You may contact the Sheriff's Office at 830-796-4507 to inquire about local burn ban status.
• Burn Permit Application must be completed, signed, and submitted to the office, either in person or, emailed to permitting@banderatx.gov for consideration.
• There is no charge for the Burn Permit Application or issued Permit.
• Burn Permit Application must be signed before a permit is submitted for consideration.
• Chapter 5 Fire Prevention and Protection
• 2018 International Fire Code Amendments

NOTE: The fire code official may specify procedures or methods to control or abate emissions from outdoor burning as authorized, may revoke the authority to burn at any time if the burning causes nuisance conditions, is not conducted in accordance with the specified conditions, violates any provision of the permit, or causes a violation of any air quality law training firefighting personnel.

In addition to the above, ALL residents burning within the city limits must also fill out this Burn Registration Form or call the the Bandera County Sheriff's Office at 830-796-4507 before burning.